How do you spell Millie?

At school, within the past month or so, Millie has been practicing writing and tracing her letters. At first, she learned how to spell her name, and then she learned how to write her name. It is so exciting and fun, watching her personality and life unfold.

BIG Milestone

I've been hesitant to post this because I didn't want to jinx anything but for about 3 weeks now, Millie has been sleeping through the night with just her panties on (knock on wood). Yes, that's right; NO more pull-ups or diapers at night. She did have one accident while she was out of town with Jacade last week. But she has been doing real well. Going to the bathroom before she goes to bed and then again when she gets up in the morning. I think we've finally crossed the hurdle!! NO MORE DIAPERS or PULL-UPS! That will be a considerable savings.

And she starts back to school on Tuesday, August 3. We are going to her Open House this Friday to meet her new teacher and hopefully be able to get a few more uniform pieces at the Uniform Swap. We still need to buy her socks and shoes. And we will pick her backpack up tomorrow; it's getting monogrammed with her name and a cute little princess. (will post pictures later).

Role playing

Millie has really been doing a lot of role playing lately. Last week, I was really tired so I was lying in the bed. Well, she came in and said that she was the Mommy and that I was the "Baby Girl." And then Jacade came in and he was now the "Baby Boy."

She went out of the room and picked up a few books and brought them back. She was going to put "her babies" to bed. She read us a few books and would pause and say, "Are you okay, Baby Girl?" or "I love you Baby Girl." So sweet.

Then Jacade aka Baby Boy started tickling her. And she told him to stop. And he kept tickling her. And she said, "If you don't stop, you're going to get a spanking." And he didn't stop. And then she said, "You're not going to get to sleep with Baby Girl unless you stop." He asked where he would have to sleep and she replied, "In my room."

She's also been playing Mommy with Mawt Maw too and bossing her around. She's just repeating what she hears, I guess.

I've read that it's good for preschoolers to role play. I guess she's right on target!

Months of the Year

Yesterday, on our way home from the babysitter's house, Millie was talking in the back seat. I started really listening when she said, "September, October.....(pause)...what's the next one?" And I said, "November." And then I told her through February (and she repeated) and then she said, "March, April, June, July." My mouth dropped. She had learned the months of the year at school. That was so neat to hear her repeat that.

Next week is her last week of school. She has Water Day at school today and her Preschool program next Tuesday. My baby is not a baby anymore!

I want to be like you, Mom

Millie said those words Tuesday evening before she went to bed. She was referring to the fact that she wanted to wear panties instead of a diaper at bedtime, just like me. I was a little nervous about it, but she went to the bathroom 3 times before she went to sleep and I put a towel on the bed, just in case. She woke up Wednesday morning, dry, but didn't want to go to the bathroom. She finally went to the bathroom though (after a little crying and screaming).

Wednesday evening, same scenario. She used the bathroom several times and woke up dry again this morning.

I am super excited about that! It's time anyways. She will be 3 years old next Friday!!!

Chore Chart introduced

Last night, I introduced Millie to her new Chore Chart. I mentioned it to her last week that she was going to have to start doing some chores and that once she completed them, she could choose a sticker for each chore. So on the way home from Ms. Ashley's yesterday I told her that I had her Chore Chart ready and told her the four chores she would be responsible for:

1. Make your bed
2. Help with laundry
3. Feed the dog (a.k.a Bella)
4. Pick up your toys

As we drove home, she actually repeated 3 of the 4 chores. We got home and I sat her down and showed her the chart. I then asked if she wanted to go ahead and start so she could pick some stickers? She did. She wanted to make her bed first, and asked for my help. She made up the bed very good. I asked if she wanted to choose a sticker now and she declined, saying that she wanted to finish all the chores first. Surprise!

She then picked up her toys in her room and I helped put her books on the bookshelf. Then she fed Bella and she headed towards the laundry room; she was going to help with the laundry. I didn't have any in the washer/dryer but I did have some washcloths I needed her to fold. She got those, took them to the dryer, put them in and took them all back out, and folded all of them. Then she carried the ones that belonged in her bathroom and put them in the drawer. Easy enough.

We then sat down and she chose the stickers she wanted. We put the chart low on the refrigerator. We'll work on those chores again tonight. It was really nice because there wasn't any arguing or begging her to do things. She just did them. Hope she keeps it up!

Millie's 2nd day of school

Today, it was a little easier getting Millie up and ready this morning, although she did balk at putting on the uniform at first. But then I reminded her that she was going to be wearing a jumper today and she quickly changed her mind. She has to wear a uniform on Wednesdays because they have Chapel from 8:30-8:50 a.m.

On the breakfast menu was a Pop Tart and Milk and I didn't think Millie would eat that, nor did it seem very healthy, so I made her some oatmeal with honey and she ate it all up before we left.

And we dropped her off in the drop-off line and she went in with no problems.

Her teachers said that she did well yesterday, but Millie said, "Ms. Nicole said we weren't listening." So we explained to Millie that she needed to listen so she can learn more things. She came home with a stack of papers she had worked on, like coloring, tracing and letters.

Millie's 1st day of school

at the door, ready to go...

walking to the Butler building

having breakfast

Millie and her new friends

Tuesday, January 12, 2010, was Millie's first day of school at Rock Springs Academy in Milner, GA. She is attending the K2 program 3 days a week from 8-12.

We arrived this morning around 7:35 a.m. and were able to take Millie to breakfast. If she gets there at 7:30 then she can have breakfast. On the menu was buttered toast, cheese grits and milk or juice. She tried the grits but wasn't crazy about them so we got a banana for her so at least she would have something in her system. But she was just so preoccupied with watching all of the other kids there, that she couldn't focus to eat.

Then we walked her down to her classroom and all the kids were waiting in the hallway. We saw some kids that are there on Sunday mornings and some new ones too. Her teacher, Ms. Nicole, walked up and said good morning to her and then asked one of the little girls, Natalie, if Millie could sit with her, and Millie went right over and sat down. Nicole was impressed and excited about that (no whining or crying). Then we told her that she was potty-trained and she was excited about that too. We told her bye and gave her a kiss and as we were walking out, she yelled, "Bye."

It was very easy. I can't believe that she is starting to school. And we felt very welcome there. The good thing is that we already to go to church there so we know a lot of the people. But it was nice for people to walk up to Millie and say, "I heard that you are starting school here today. We are so glad to have you." It's just comforting for a parent, I think, knowing that so many people love your child.

On Wednesdays, Millie will have to wear a uniform because they go to Chapel. So we picked out a navy blue jumper to see if it will fit. If it won't, we will just have to get her one. And they said that she could just wear a white turtleneck tomorrow (which we already have). I will definitely take a picture and post it tomorrow.

Millie loves to cook

One afternoon in October after church, Millie decided that she wanted to help Daddy cook lunch/brunch. We had scrambled eggs with cheese.

Reverse Psychology

Do you think it is wrong to use Reverse Psychology? I have been using that a little with Millie lately and it's been working. For instance, I have tried to get her to use the bathroom on several occasions and she says no. So then I said, "Let's see if you cannot use the bathroom." And she runs to the bathroom, laughing all the way, sits up there and uses it.

Or this morning when I tried to get her dressed and she resisted. I said, "Let's see if you can't put on your clothes." And she got dressed.

And the other night, she wanted to read the 12 little Christmas books she got from Mops. She pulled all the books out and after I finished reading them, didn't want to put them back in. So I said to her, "Millie, I can't remember how to put these books in the case. Can you show me how to do it?" And she did it, no problem!

IT'S OFFICIAL......

As of the end of 29 months, beginning of 30 months - MILLIE IS POTTY-TRAINED!!!! She now only needs a diaper when she naps or sleeps at night. And even if we have no panties clean and she has to wear a diaper, she always goes in the bathroom, takes off the diaper, uses the bathroom and then we have to put the diaper back on.

This past weekend we went to Savannah to celebrate Jacade's birthday and I only used 2 diapers on her all weekend, including the traveling back and forth. I put a pull-up on for the ride down/back and she went to the bathroom every time we stopped.

She always says, "I do like Mommy."

Panties!!!!

Millie has been bugging us all the time to wear panties. So finally, on Thursday when Jacade kept her, he let her put on panties. And she stayed dry until it was time to go to bed and we put a diaper back on to sleep.

On Friday, she wore panties all day. She only had 2 accidents. She just kept saying, "I wear panties like Mommy."

Over the weekend, Debbie (Mawt Maw) kept her so we could go on a little anniversary trip, and I am assuming that she was back in the diaper all weekend. Can't blame Mawt Maw though! But when we got home she was ready to put the panties back on.

Sleeping Update

Well, this weekend, Millie rolled out of the bed, twice. It definitely startled her and she cried, but went back to sleep once we got her back in the bed. Every time we would put her in her bed at night she would say, "Don't roll out?" And we would say, "Yes, don't roll out of the bed." And then she would say, "Not get up til it's light outside?" Yes, don't get out. And she would wake up in the morning, come out of her room and say, "It's light outside." Yes, Millie, you can get up now.

Sleeping Update...

Thursday, September 10 - Night 4 : Jacade got Millie ready for bed last night because I went to Henry Medical Center to see one of our friends, Shelley, and her new baby boy, Jackson. He was born 09/09/09. He is a healthy little guy and so cute. When I got home, I went in to say good night and talked with Millie for a few minutes. Then she and I rocked for one song and I put her to bed. And she fussed for a minute, but stayed in her bed. She asked/told me: "Not get up til it's light outside?" And I said yes, if it's dark outside, you need to be sleeping because you need the rest. So she slept til 7:10 this morning and found us outside having a cup of coffee.

Millie is in the "Me Do" stage

Just about every time, Millie wants to do it herself. I know it's normal part of her development, but sometimes it is just plain frustrating. Because sometimes we are in a hurry, but Millie just has to do it!

Yesterday afternoon, she was sitting on the kitchen counter and she was helping me fix a snack. So she helped me pour the goldfish crackers out of the bag. Then we moved on to the Craisins. I opened the big bag. And she got mad. She closed the bag and then re-opened it...herself. Too funny.

She wants to climb into the bathtub herself, dress herself, wipe herself when it is diaper change time and if she could figure it out completely, she would probably change her own diaper, put the lotion on herself, open the refrigerator door.

I'm thankful, though, that she is becoming independent. It's fun and funny at the same time. This morning she even dressed herself, all by herself, after I told her that everyone else was dressed. And she can even, most times, get the shoes on the right feet.

JUMP!

Yes, that's right. Millie climbed out of her crib Saturday afternoon. She was supposed to be napping and I heard her through the monitor playing around. And then I heard it....a thump and a scream. Luckily she had fallen on her bottom instead of her head. So it's official. At 22 months old, Millie escapes. What to do, what to do.

Right now, we go in there a little more quickly to make sure she doesn't climb out again. I think she knows that it hurt, but still wants to do it again. We are in the process of figuring out what to do next.

There's always a new challenge.....with a toddler.

A new challenge

So we have a new challenge at our house with Millie....

She can now open the refrigerator door. Hmm... Do they make locks for those big doors? I doubt it. Just can't take your eye off her for one second.

She also can now open the doors going out of the house. The best remedy for that is that we have to remember to lock the deadbolt. Problem solved.

A surprise

Millie got to bed a little late last night and I thought she was asleep and then I heard her in her room whimpering. So I gave her a few minutes and she was still whining. So I went in and she started laughing. Hmm.... I looked in the bed and she was whining because she had her sleeper unzipped, almost to the feet and was grabbing her diaper. I asked her if she wanted to go potty and she said yes. So we went in the bathroom, took off her diaper (which was dry) and she went to the bathroom. And I put her diaper back on and put her back to bed.

Millie has figured it out

Well, Millie has been watching one too many times. She now knows how to get the tray off of her high chair. She knows where to pull up on the underside to get it to unlatch. So as soon as I put the tray on and turn my back, she reaches under and unlatches it and it hits the floor.

What are we going to do with her? Maybe she is telling me that she is ready to give up the high chair? But she's not ready to sit in a regular chair yet, nor is she tall enough.

Any suggestions?

Potty time!

What is the exact age/time to start potty-training your child? I've been told by different sources, many different things. Maybe it depends on your child.
At any rate, we have been introducing Millie to the potty, since about 18 mos. old. First we used an insert on the big potty, and then we got a small potty from Aunt Barbara and she's been using that now.
She even likes to pee in it and then take the insert off and pour it in the big potty. She is quite observant.
But last night, we got home from eating out (didn't feel like cooking) and I was getting ready to give her a bath. She laid down on the floor in our bedroom, unsnapped her overalls, took off her soaked diaper, and went into her bathroom, sat on the potty, and USED IT!!! As soon as it hits the bottom, she starts smiling and gets all excited!!!
I then gave her a bath and after her bath she wanted to sit on it again. So she did, and USED IT AGAIN! Good job, Millie.
This morning, when she woke up, she tinkled again and was so proud of herself.

Maybe it's too early, maybe not. But we're just going with the flow (no pun intended!)!!!